Skilled Trades
Construction Laborers
Perform tasks involving physical labor at construction sites. May operate hand and power tools of all types: air hammers, earth tampers, cement mixers, small mechanical hoists, surveying and measuring equipment, and a variety of other equipment and instruments. May clean and prepare sites, dig trenches, set braces to support the sides of excavations, erect scaffolding, and clean up rubble, debris, and other waste materials. May assist other craft workers.
Median salary
$46,730
Typical range
$34k – $78k
Job outlook
+7% (faster than average)
AI exposure
Plan a path to Construction Laborers
Education
Typical entry: No degree required
Plan my path to this →Typical progression
Junior Construction Laborers
Entry / Junior
$34,200
~2 yrs to advance
Construction Laborers
Established
$46,730
~3 yrs to advance
Senior Construction Laborers
Senior
$62,130
Key skills
A typical day
- •Tend pumps, compressors, or generators to provide power for tools, machinery, or equipment or to heat or move materials, such as asphalt.
- •Lubricate, clean, or repair machinery, equipment, or tools.
- •Signal equipment operators to facilitate alignment, movement, or adjustment of machinery, equipment, or materials.
- •Read plans, instructions, or specifications to determine work activities.
- •Measure, mark, or record openings or distances to layout areas where construction work will be performed.
Fields of study
Any field
Top colleges for Skilled Trades
Explore all- Purdue University50% admit · $78,000 grad pay
- Ohio State University53% admit · $68,000 grad pay
- Pennsylvania State University55% admit · $70,000 grad pay
Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.